NORTH HOLLYWOOD : Home Costume-Maker Cited for Labor Law Violation

The owner of a costume-making business that recently received a temporary permit from the city of Los Angeles to operate out of her North Hollywood home was cited Thursday for a violation of state labor laws.

Inspectors cited Judy Corbett, owner of J & M Costumers Inc., for manufacturing apparel out of her home--a violation that would usually result in the confiscation of her fabric and other costume-making material.

However, Jose Millan, senior deputy labor commissioner, said his inspectors have given Corbett 60 days to close the business or move it to a commercial building. If she refuses, he said the labor commission will confiscate her material.

Corbett said she will fight the citation, just as she fought a city zoning law that prohibits home-based businesses in residential areas.

Millan said his inspectors learned about Corbett’s operations from a Times story this week about the thousands of home-based business that operate in violation of city zoning laws. Corbett was featured prominently in that story.

But Millan said his agency was not singling out Corbett. He said the labor commission is targeting home-based apparel shops because they have an unfair advantage over legitimate businesses.